A Horror World Conversation with Marcy Italiano
By Steven E. Wedel

When I first met Marcy Italiano, she looked like a little twig of a girl. Later that day I watched her reading from her debut novel, Pain Machine, and she was shaking like a leaf as she did it. I know her better now. I know what a dedicated (hard-headed), strong-willed (stubborn), outspoken (sharp-tongued) young woman she really is. Oh, and as for being a twig, that isn’t the case anymore – she swelled up real nice, then divided into three Italianos.

She just recently had a baby of another sort. Her first non-fiction book – and her first book-length publication since Pain Machine – was just released by Schiffer Publishing. The book, called Spirits and Death in Niagara, focuses on tales of the macabre that have happened at Niagara Falls.

Marcy was kind enough to take a few minutes out of her busy schedule to talk to us about her careers. Yes, that’s plural. She was already a busy lady … and that was before those twins arrived!

Horror World: Tell us about the new book. Did Schiffer Publishing come to you, or was it an idea you pitched to them?

Marcy Italiano: I was at HorrorFind looking around at all the dealers’ tables and stopped to flip through a ghost book. The person behind the table asked if I liked reading ghost stories and I told her that I liked reading them and writing them as well. We chatted about my slightly budding career for a while and the conversation took a different turn. She asked me if I’d be interested in writing a ghost book for them. Unfortunately, they were looking for Americans and I am but a slightly chilled northern version of what they were looking for. However, if I covered both sides of the border we had a deal. Niagara Falls is about a two hour drive from Waterloo if we don’t hit traffic, and I already knew that there were some good stories to hunt down. G and I spent a lot of time back in the area where we used to go on dates about 17 years ago. (Wow, now I feel old.)

HW: Do you have any background in non-fiction? Journalism training, or something?

MI: I have my BA in English from the University of Waterloo and we covered some non-fiction. After graduation I did technical writing for about a year – I know that’s different (and very boring), but it’s still non-fic. Actually, my younger brother, Michael Friscolanti, has more journalism training under his belt. He presently writes for Macleans Magazine and has years of working for newspapers behind him. Maybe some of that rubbed off on me?

HW: Pain Machine had a lot of non-fiction in it, though, sadly, a lot of it was your own personal experience and medical information you’d learned because of that. Was it hard writing a non-fiction book?

MI: Non-fiction is neither harder nor easier than fiction; it’s a completely different animal. When writing Pain Machine I did a lot of medical research and a lot of it was over my head. I had to have some of it “dumbed down” so that I could create my own machine and scenarios, but I found the process both fun and fascinating. I was able to combine the new information with my own experiences with Fibromyalgia and speak through my characters to tell my story. Some of the most difficult parts were trying to make sure the medical facts meshed with the fictional parts while still effectively telling my tale. With Spirits and Death in Niagara Falls, I’m not telling my own stories. I had to make sure the facts were straight and find out as much as I could about each person and location. There were times when I found the research frustrating. With ghost stories it’s almost inevitable that you’re going to find variations or even completely different versions of a particular haunting. In some cases I didn’t fight it and included them all, which I hope makes the stories more interesting. I also found it very difficult to avoid writing a history book. The history of the Niagara region is so fascinating and often extremely bloody and horrific, and it came close to overpowering the ghost story elements. I would get caught up reading about the War of 1812 time after time and have to remind myself to include the observed ghosts of today. I was also reminded of how utterly boring history books can be. I was actually angry at times as I flipped through books larger than my head… how can you degrade a bloody and vicious war full of death and destruction and turn it into to a long list of dry facts and dates? I wanted to know what really happened, not just what happened. If I remember correctly, I posted in my blog about it and begged fiction writers to rewrite history books and make them (deservedly) more interesting.

HW: OK, tell us more about the book itself. It’s a collection of stories mostly about people who have died at Niagara Falls, right?

MI: In a nutshell, yes. The first section of the book is all about the ghost stories that are floating around the Niagara region. Many (but not all of them) are about ghosts that were left behind after the War of 1812. Some stories are based on Native legend, and some are rumours or urban legends. The second section of the book is about the deaths in and around the Falls, including the daredevils, suicides and accidents. When I approached the publisher with this dual-death idea they agreed that most people automatically connected barrel jumpers with the Falls, so the two halves worked well together. I knew there were a lot of people who had gone over the Falls in barrels or across the top on tightropes, but I had no idea that there were so many other types of stunts that had been attempted. I also came across many heart-wrenching stories, and some truly stupid stories that I just had to include. I hope that everyone finds it to be an interesting collection.

HW: How did you do the research? Was it easy to find people knowledgeable of the stories, and were they willing to talk?

MI: HA! I could not believe how tight-lipped people got when I asked them about the ghosts! I was turned down for interviews, people would not comment, hotels would not humour me, and a certain bartender literally turned his back and walked away from me when I asked about their haunted establishment. I know that there are a lot of people who do not want to be quoted and do not want to come across as crazy, so they didn’t even acknowledge me. Others did not want to risk their jobs as some owners did not want their ghost stories known around town. It’s a tourist area and not everyone wants extra company when they sit to have dinner or a few drinks after a show. However, I was very lucky to meet up with Stephanie and Daniel from Haunted Hamilton, and Kyle Upton from Fort George (and his haunted tours). All very knowledgeable and wonderful people, they were an immense help and shared everything they could. Of course, I also used the internet to hunt down information and the people at the library seemed a little annoyed that I was hoarding books. All of the photography is done by either me or my husband Giasone (“G”). Being on location and coming home to describe what the places are really like is the best research. It gave a clearer perspective that I could connect with the history. Plus, some places just had a peculiar or powerful feeling to them.

HW: Would you do another non-fiction book like this one? Any plans for it?

MI: You know, it was an interesting shift of gears. Schiffer has suggested that I keep an ongoing update and continue to collect stories from that region in case another book could be put together in the future. It would be an easier project to put together since I’ve done most of the hard work. I wonder if people will start sending me ghost stories or tell me about things that have happened to them in the locations I mention – I’d definitely include them! I’ve had a running story on my website about an Ontario ghost story that has caused people to write in to help me or tell me how upset they were with me, and I’m almost more fascinated by people’s reactions to ghosts than the stories themselves. I could see another project like this in the future, but I’m making no plans at all right now. You’ll see why in a following question.

HW: Let’s talk about your first book a little bit. Can you give us a summary of Pain Machine?

MI: Pain Machine is about a young couple dealing with Fibromyalgia. Not sure of what’s wrong with Agatha, her husband Isaac isn’t exactly sympathetic to her pain. Agatha wishes someone would believe her as visits to doctors and specialists leave her frustrated and feeling alone. The actual machine was created by Veronica, a scientist who was determined to allow two people to share pain sensations. Intended for use in the ER for doctors to diagnose patients faster by feeling the intensity and location of pain in their patients, Veronica’s emotional past occasionally clouds her judgment. When the patient in pain finds the long sought after verification, things go out of control.

HW: Looking back at it, how do you feel about the writing in Pain Machine compared to the new book?

MI: Eesh, that’s a tough question! Pain Machine came out in 2003, and of course I’d like to think that my writing has improved since 2001-2. But I can’t compare a fictional book that was written with so much emotion and so much of myself invested in the story, to a non-fiction book about ghost stories. It’s a completely different kind of personal devotion and a different style of writing altogether. I can’t really compare them at all.

HW: Now, you do more than write. You’re also an accomplished Web mistress with your own business. Talk to us about that. When and how did you get started in Web design?

MI: My working life has taken interesting turns over the years. When I was younger I worked with Special Needs kids for about ten years. Many people don’t know I worked in that field since it doesn’t come up at horror cons. HA! I’ve already mentioned the technical writing I did for a year after University (for example I was a contributing author in NETSCAPE NAVIGATOR GOLD and USING HTML), and this eventually lead me to do computer training. I did corporate level software training all over Ontario for three years and then moved to Adult Education for three years. I took a job out of left field at two sister radio stations running their websites for a year covering a maternity leave, and finally used my skills instead of just passing them on to others. I never wanted to be a teacher and even though I was very good at it, that was not how I wanted to spend my days so I leapt off the safe paycheque cliff and started my own business doing websites. There was a huge learning curve when I started The Web Lizard and it was a whole new kind of stress, but three successful years later I’m happy I took that chance.

HW: And you’re a musician (married to another musician). I know you play bass and sing. You drum, too, right? How did all that come about? And what are your aspirations in the music world?

MI: I can’t drum. I’ve tried. My feet just can’t handle the kick and high hat without my leg muscles cramping up. I grew up playing piano and singing in church choirs, actually. By the time I was twelve I was playing Mozart and Beethoven at a grade twelve level, and I was entered into province-wide competitions. In high school I let it all go. I don’t know if it was the pressure, or the fact that I discovered boys and booze, but I regret letting the piano skills go. In University I played bass in G’s band which was first called Home Brew and then Bertha’s Attic, which was all just bloody fun. I wasn’t totally awesome, but I could keep a steadier beat than the drummer. HA! Fast forward to the last couple of years and G and I were in our basement working on songwriting together for Johnny Gruesome, a CD based on Greg Lamberson’s character in his book (of the same name) that has just been released. This past month, G released another CD called “Songs of Innocence and of Experience” where we share some songwriting again, and there is one song that I wrote and performed myself. If you’re curious to hear me sing (a very sad blues song) you’ll have to buy it. I’m slowly working on getting my piano chops back and I occasionally hack out something on the bass or pick up the guitar (G’s baby). We’re going to continue to write together and to build up our little company, P.I.C. Music Publishing. I’ve really enjoyed bringing music back into my life and hope to see more interesting projects in the future. Anybody out there need a theme song or soundtrack??

HW: What else, what else? Hmm. Oh yeah! You’ve just had a pair of baby boys. You’ve maintained a detailed Web site recording your progress through your pregnancy. Do you want to give us a summary of how that’s been going and why your pregnancy is unique? (We don’t need to know the details of how you got knocked up.)

MI: You have four kids, you KNOW how the knocking up process works.

This is why I’m not planning on any hefty writing projects any time soon. We have two new beautiful, identical twin boys. We’d decided to start a family back in 2005, about two months before Katrina. Eventually we needed a little help from Chlomid (fertility pill) to get pregnant, but that’s not how we got twins! That was all genetics and some would argue, fate. We expected them on the date of the planned c-section, June 16 th, but they were not going to wait until then. I went for a non-stress test on May 26 th and when they asked how long I’d been having contractions I responded, “What contractions? I thought that was the kids stretching out!” I was admitted on the spot, fully effaced and dilated 1cm. They came following quite the drama on May 30 th. Apparently, they have Mamma’s patience. After a week in the hospital they came home and we’re pretty much caught up with all the prep we wanted to get done before they showed up. Now I’m just finding an odd half hour to an hour here and there to get on the computer. The most creative writing I’ll get to do is possibly… a haiku?

HW: How much has the pregnancy and new babies slowed you down in terms of writing and other activities?

MI: Complete halt. As expected. I’m trying to make efforts online to promote Spirits and Death in Niagara, but there will be no traveling this year at all. I tried to get more done before the kids came, but I didn’t know my time would be cut short. My pregnancy was high risk so I was very limited to begin with, and until I recover now I won’t be able to do things like signings just yet. I’m hoping to plan some promotion on local TV and radio etc as soon as I get some strength back.

HW: How do you plan to keep working with two – I said TWO – little babies to take care of?

MI: Did you say TWO?!?! Oh my dear gods I had two!? I guess that would account for the four feet and four fists that pummeled me from the inside… LOL!

G is a teacher and has the summer off, so that’s a good start. We also have four overzealous (and mostly retired) grandparents who want to help out. I’ve told my existing clients that my delivery time on web requests is not going to be as speedy as the same day delivery I’ve been able to deliver, but I am still able to steal time to get stuff done as I mentioned previously. I’m playing catch up from the two weeks in and out of the hospital right now, but when I get caught up this summer I know I’ll be able to manage the new, take-it-as-you-can-get-it schedule. Working at 4am isn’t so bad.

HW: Do you have another writing project planned, or anything that’ll be coming out soon? If so, what can you tell us about it?

MI: Aside from Spirits and Death in Niagara? Yes, you might have heard of the anthology, Jack Haringa Must Die!: Twenty-Eight Original Tales of Madness, Terror and Strictly Grammatical Murder, edited by Nicholas Kaufmann? On the day when everyone blogged about killing Jack, I quickly wrote up some cheeky little thing before starting work that day. I wish I’d done a better job! HA! All proceeds go to the Shirley Jackson Awards, so you should all go out and buy lots of copies. I also have a short story in the upcoming anthology, Terrible Beauty, Fearful Symmetry, edited by Lisa Mannetti. Other than that, I know there are a number of people who are wondering about Katrina and the Frenchman, my writing about what we experienced and saw during and after the storm in New Orleans. Keep peeking at the news page on my website, that’s where I’ll post info when it’s available.

HW: Anything I should have asked and didn’t?

MI: 1. Are there any websites you’d like to plug?

Why yes, there are!

www.marcyitaliano.com (For more book buying details, and if you’re so inclined to visit the humble and quickly created site for the twins with details and pictures.)

www.theweblizard.com (Hire a Lizard.)

www.giasoneitaliano.com (Buy music.)

picmusicpublishing.com (Hire musicians.)

2. Is there anything people can do to help you promote Spirits and Death in Niagara, now that you’re housebound and time-limited with twin boy babies?

Why yes, there is! You can help me get the word out.

- Talk about it in your blog

- Write a review

- Link to my website

- Link to the promotional video (or embed it if you know how)

- Take a copy of the banner and use it in on your own websites and posts

- Ask for a copy or three at your local bookstores.

- Tell your family, friends, and strangers on the street!

- Get creative and have some fun.

HW: Sheesh! Give a woman free rein to say something and she … Never mind! Haha Thanks for your time, Marcy. Best of luck with the new book, and at getting snatches of sleep between feedings. For those wanting more information, be sure to visit Marcy online at www.marcyitaliano.com. Oh wait, she already mentioned that didn’t she?

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